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Bahahaha, Surge's size in this episode kills me. I laughed so hard when I re-watched this ep a while back. Anyways, I thought it was pretty cool that Ash figured out the whole Speed strategy for Pikachu & it surprisingly worked I was glad that Pikachu decided not to evolve, but come the second time around [in DP], I kinda wish it would have.

This was a truly classic episode. It was also the one that truly established Pikachu as the pokemon mascot for life. Him refusing to evolve proved that he is going to stay as he is through the rest of the series.
Lt. Surge looks like he could step on Ash and think nothing of it; can you say, steroids?

First time a Pokemon refuses to evolve, weird. I thought they'd all want to get stronger, faster. I also noticed that Lt. Surge spoke English in the Japanese version haha. Anyway, about the battles; I liked the first battle and how Pikachu was losing to Raichu. The rematch with Pikachu's Speed versus Raichu's Power was good too but it seemed rushed somehow so I didn't think it was all that great. This could have been a 2-part episode. Well despite the flaws, it was good. 7/10.

"Can you see it, Pikachu? The star of victory!"
"?"
"Eh? How can you see a star in broad daylight?"
"What are you doing? At least let me try to establish a mood!"

That roughly translated scene from the Japanese version might just be my favorite exchange ever on this show. I guess I was wrong about "Pok&#233;mon" never hanging any lampshades on anything!

I'd forgotten how good this episode is - humor, action, and drama balance themselves perfectly as they so often do in Kanto. And the plot is very cleverly executed; it's actually because of this episode that I've held off on evolving most of the evolutionary stone Pok&#233;mon that I have in the video games. Now I always gotta make sure they've got a decent moveset first!

There's some great Satoshi/Kasumi arguments in this one, like how she points out that she and Takeshi gave him the Gray and Blue Badges out of pity, and Satoshi gets so defensive that he almost slugs her. (There's something they'd never dare to try today!) Machisu is easily one of the greatest characters ever, and that's due in large part to his never-ending supply of Engrish. "Unberievabuu!" still makes me laugh out loud. And as always, Musashi-tachi are hilarious, especially in their ouendan disguises. Nyasu's reaction to Kojirou's "aasu/Dogas" pun is absolutely priceless.

I thought Pikachu vs Raichu was so epic back in the day and I always liked that Pikachu didn't want to evolve and wanted to take on Raichu as it was. Back when I had Yellow version, I always taught Dig to my Pikachu just so it could defeat Lt. Surges Raichu, good times. Overall, this was a great episode.

Pikachu as always was strong, powerfull and full faith in himself with Ash.
Lt. Surge's Raichu is stronger, I won't say it is not. But since Surge's Pikachu evolved too fast and didn't learn Quick Attack, it has been defeated. With those abilities, it wouldn't have lost.

My absolute favorite Kanto Gym Battle! Nothing better than seeing a pokemon defeat their evolved form. I liked how they set up the final battle for the badge. The only thing I didn't like is of course Pikachu's decision to NEVER evolve...

Lt. Surge is like twice Ash's height. Seriously, he must be at least nine feet tall. O__o

Surge and Raichu were my favourite parts of this episode. I loved how Surge would call Ash a baby and treat him like one. Raichu was a beast and I enjoyed watching it beat Pikachu.

Using Pikachu's speed moves was a strategic and clever way of beating Raichu IMO, but I didn't like how an unevolved Pokemon beat its evolved form. I know it's to show that unevolved Pokemon can be strong too, but it didn't feel right to me. :/

Me too. Two rats fighting against each other. One is fat and full of hubris; the other small and uhh Ash's.

That made me lol.
Anyway I loved this episode. I loved how Surge beat Ash the first time round and then Pikachu refused to evolve because he thought he could beat Raichu the way he is. Really glad that Pikachu won,sad that Pikachu will never evolve but I like Pikachu so all is good.

I loved it! Surge was an awesome gym leader. I forgot about the two people in Surge's gym, though. At first I thought they were trainers that Ash had to fight before the gym leader like in the games.
James' reactions to Meowth's translations were hilarious, and I laughed when TR forgotthat they were in costume. That motto has become a habit already. xD

Pikachu grounding its tail in the ground to divetrt Raichu's electric attack was certainly "interesting". I did like the use Pikachu's speed over Raichu's power. It was was one of the best gym battles in Kanto.

Fighting for real American turtles everywhere. Pro-Turtle since 6/30/13

This was a great Gym battle to watch after the previous two being so disappointing. I also like the fact that Ash did lose first, because it gets boring if he's just going to constantly win all the time, and predictable. It was also nice to see Ash actually using skill to win in the rematch. Pikachu refusing to evolve seemed a bit weird because the general idea is that you evolve and get stronger. The anime made it seem like the Pokémon would lose all bonds with people if it evolved.
As for Lt. Surge, I think it fitted him well being so large.

Cool how Pikachu refused to evolve, and still won! It was funny how Pikachu didn't want to battle just before the first battle! And Surge hugging Misty, thinking she was the challenger was pretty funny as well. This is pure Kanto gold, 10/10.

Originally Posted by Calamitу

Pikachu refusing to evolve seemed a bit weird because the general idea is that you evolve and get stronger. The anime made it seem like the Pokémon would lose all bonds with people if it evolved.

Not all bonds. Ash's Caterpie>Metapod>Butterfree, and later in Jotho his Chikorita>Bayleef, did not lose their bonds with Ash. I can't judge about Pidgeotto>Pidgeot, he didn't have enough screen time as a Pidgeot (but I think he would still be as loyal as when he was a Pidgeotto). However, Charmander>Charmeleon>Charizard was a drastic change, from a loyal Charmander to a disobient Charmeleon and later Charizard.

In my regards is this the best gym battle, coequal with Blaine's gym match. Pikachu really build up a reputation by this episode and the there were some major character developments. Aside from the epic gym battle, I also enjoyed the humor involved with Team Rocket that instead of trying to steal Pikachu, they actually went out in disguise and cheered for him. And the whole narrative of this story comes to a good end where everybody is satisfied with the outcome. This remains in my opinion, one of the blockbuster episodes that made Kanto having this lasting legacy.

I wished Ash thought of the whole speed thing with Pikachu rather than Brock giving him advice. I wanted to see how would Ash handle a gym without the help of gymleaders. But as you watch these episodes, you can see that Ash had no brain back then.